Tide baseball meets needs with eight signees

Published: Friday, November 16, 2012 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, November 16, 2012 at 12:20 a.m.

TUSCALOOSA | Racking up thousands of miles this summer and fall, the University of Alabama baseball staff scoured the Southeast looking for talent.

Coach Mitch Gaspard and assistants Andy Phillips and Dax Norris reaped the rewards this week with eight signees added to the Crimson Tide's 2013 class in the early signing period, including five from the state of Alabama and one each from Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee. The class includes three pitchers, two outfielders, two infielders and a catcher.

“We're certainly pleased with the class,” UA coach Mitch Gaspard said. “I thought Dax and Andy both did a great job of evaluating and bringing in the talent we were able to get. We think it's a balanced class with three pitchers, five position players, five in-state players and three out of state.

“It meets a lot of the needs that we have positionally with an already young team on the field this year. We feel like we certainly addressed some of the needs that we have going into the future. It's a good group. We feel like we put together two back-to-back quality classes.”

The group is highlighted by Will Haynie of Brentwood Academy (Brentwood, Tenn.), a 6-foot-5, 225-pound catcher and a Preseason Underclassman All-American selection by Perfect Game USA. He is the 126th ranked overall prospect by Perfect Game USA and a two-time Tennessee All-State selection.

“He's a top 100 player and a guy that potentially could come in and impact your program immediately as a freshman,” Gaspard said. “Obviously at 6-5, 230, he's going to be a physical player. Even with his size, he's a really good catch-and-throw guy. He's got soft hands and a very strong arm. A potential middle of the lineup hitter very early in his career and could certainly be an impact freshman in the SEC.”

<p>TUSCALOOSA | Racking up thousands of miles this summer and fall, the University of Alabama baseball staff scoured the Southeast looking for talent.</p><p>Coach Mitch Gaspard and assistants Andy Phillips and Dax Norris reaped the rewards this week with eight signees added to the Crimson Tide's 2013 class in the early signing period, including five from the state of Alabama and one each from Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee. The class includes three pitchers, two outfielders, two infielders and a catcher. </p><p>“We're certainly pleased with the class,” UA coach Mitch Gaspard said. “I thought Dax and Andy both did a great job of evaluating and bringing in the talent we were able to get. We think it's a balanced class with three pitchers, five position players, five in-state players and three out of state. </p><p>“It meets a lot of the needs that we have positionally with an already young team on the field this year. We feel like we certainly addressed some of the needs that we have going into the future. It's a good group. We feel like we put together two back-to-back quality classes.”</p><p>The group is highlighted by Will Haynie of Brentwood Academy (Brentwood, Tenn.), a 6-foot-5, 225-pound catcher and a Preseason Underclassman All-American selection by Perfect Game USA. He is the 126th ranked overall prospect by Perfect Game USA and a two-time Tennessee All-State selection.</p><p>“He's a top 100 player and a guy that potentially could come in and impact your program immediately as a freshman,” Gaspard said. “Obviously at 6-5, 230, he's going to be a physical player. Even with his size, he's a really good catch-and-throw guy. He's got soft hands and a very strong arm. A potential middle of the lineup hitter very early in his career and could certainly be an impact freshman in the SEC.”</p><p>Rounding out the class are Geoffrey Bramblett (right-handed pitcher, Locust Fork), Thomas Burrows (left-handed pitcher, Mars Hill/Florence), Nick Eicholtz (right-handed pitcher, Cambridge Christian/Odessa, Fla.), William Elliot (outfielder, Oxford, Miss.), Casey Hughston (Baker/Mobile), Taylor Propst (Huntsville) and Hunter Webb (outfielder, Russell County/Salem).</p><p>Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron.suttles@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0229.</p>